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The 5 Best Dog Cooling Mats And Pads, Tested And Reviewed

Dogs struggle with the heat just like humans, and they're also at risk of overheating when temperatures spike. You can keep your dog safe in high temperatures by providing plenty of drinking water and time indoors. But if you'd like to give them extra relief, one of the best dog cooling mats and pads is an excellent option.

To help you find the best cooling mat for your dog, I tested 10 popular designs with my 55-pound pitbull mix, Marty McFly. He is the perfect tester since he avoids walks during hot weather and likes to cool himself by splaying out on hardwood and tile floors. After a series of tests, I found the best overall mat is the Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad, with its strong cooling powers and durable materials. It's the priciest mat we tested, but less expensive quality options exist, too. My top budget pick is the Green Pet Shop Hugs Chillz Gel Mat, which has good cooling abilities, but its materials aren't as tough as those on other mats.

Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and evaluates pet products.

Our top picks for the best dog cooling mats

Best overall: Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad - See at Chewy

Best for outdoors: K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III - See at Chewy

Best budget: Green Pet Shop Hugs Chillz Gel Mat - See at Amazon

Best for crates: EveryYay Teal Cool Orthopedic Dog Crate Mat - See at Amazon

Best for travel: Lesure Premium Cooling Blanket - See at Amazon

Best overall

Our top choice for the best dog cooling mats, the Cool Pet Pad, earned high points in all of our tests. The pad's pressure-activated gel absorbs a dog's body heat to help cool them for up to three hours. 

The mat felt cool to the touch right off the bat. When I placed it on the floor, my dog didn't hesitate to flop down in his preferred resting position: a full-bodied splay. Dogs who prefer a bit of padding but not too much may like the extra cushioning provided by the solid gel-filled interior. After Marty rested on it for 30 minutes, there was a small amount of heat transfer (+2.8 degrees), but considerably less than I observed with most other mats. The manufacturer says that after three hours of continuous use, you'll need to "recharge" it. This means you pause use for 20 minutes so the gel can regain its cooling abilities.

The Green Pet Shop Cooling Pet Pad checks all the boxes for an excellent cooling mat. Taylor Tobin/Business Insider

The mat's nylon exterior is super durable, and my dog's long nails left no impression. While it was easy to clean, oily smudges like those from peanut butter left faint stains. Washable covers are sold separately. You'll find a wide range of sizes, but if you have a giant breed dog, consider the Arf Pets Self-Cooling Solid Gel Pad, with similarly impressive cooling powers and generous 35" x 55" dimensions. However, it lacks some of the padding you get with the Cool Pet Pad and has a slightly slippery surface.

Best for outdoors

Gel mats tend to lose effectiveness outside, so if your dog loves the great outdoors, a water-filled cooling mat placed in a shaded area is best. My top outdoor cooling mat pick, the Cool Bed III, works by wicking heat away from your dog to maintain a surface temperature closer to the surrounding environment. 

When I tested the bed, the starting surface temperature was 80.2 degrees, and after my dog lay on it for 30 minutes, the temperature rose by only 3.6 degrees. For reference, a dog's normal body temperature ranges from 99.5 to 102.5 degrees. The bed has a foam core that gives it a squishy, pillowy feel. You can adjust the firmness by adding more water and using the air adjustment valve. Marty liked to burrow his nose into the pillowy surface, but dogs who prefer a firmer bed might hesitate. The exterior nylon and vinyl materials are puncture-resistant, but you should place the bed on a smooth surface free of sharp debris.

The K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III's unique foam core combined with water provides a long-lasting cooling effect. Taylor Tobin/Business Insider

It took several minutes to fill the bed with water, and it was tricky to move once full. Be sure to read the manufacturer's directions for how to prevent the bed's foam interior from bunching up when you move it. The bed doesn't need to be emptied after each use and can be cooled further by carefully moving it into an air-conditioned indoor space.

Best budget

If you're not ready to spend a lot on one of the best dog cooling mats, the Chillz Gel Mat is a good starting point. The largest size costs $45. The cooling gel has a more liquid-like consistency, but the plastic cover is quite sturdy and didn't acquire any marks during our scratch tests.

While this mat retained more heat than our top pick, it still felt cool to the touch, and my dog seemed content to lie on it. In 30 minutes, its temperature rose 3.5 degrees, close to a full degree more than our top pick from the same brand. It took only a few minutes to clean it with soap and water, and the wave colorway may help hide stains. 

The Chillz Mat is a fraction of the cost of our top picks but cools nicely. Taylor Tobin/Business Insider

The mat is lighter, so it's very portable and easy to store. However, it can shift on smooth floors. My dog's paws never looked in danger of sliding out from under him, but dogs with less strength or mobility will do better with our top pick. And while the plastic cover is sturdy, the liquid gel could leak onto your floor if it's punctured or chewed.

Best for crates

Most dog crates have hard plastic bottoms, so a thick cooling mat with added support ups the comfort quotient for pups. The EveryYay mat has a 3-inch egg-crate foam core that molds to a dog's body for extra comfort during long snoozes. Its cover is a cool, soft, mesh-like fabric that provides refreshing relief on hot days. 

My dog tends to be picky about beds, but it took very little persuasion to get him to lie down on the mat and sink into the cushy foam. The bed's surface temperature initially measured 78.3 degrees and went up to 82.4 degrees after he lay on it for 30 minutes. While there was some heat transfer, it remained well below his body temperature.

The EveryYay crate mat provides cooling, cushiony comfort. Taylor Tobin/Business Insider

The mat comes in various sizes to match your crate's dimensions, giving it an edge over most cooling mats that aren't specially sized for crates. It proved durable in my testing, and the ability to toss the removable cover in the washer and dryer is a big bonus.

Best for travel

The best cooling mat for travel is actually a heat-wicking blanket that can be laid out nearly anywhere. I chose the Lesure Pet Cooling Blanket because it folds, rolls, and tucks into small spaces as easily as any throw. Should you take your dog on a road trip and find yourself dealing with a jam-packed trunk, the blanket won't take up any valuable vehicular real estate. In fact, it can help keep your pup cool in a car seat or inside a carrier. 

I was immediately impressed by the cool feel of the fabric, which also has an appealing silkiness. My dog is a stubborn pup, and convincing him to lie on a cooling mat isn't always easy. But he always enjoys being rolled into a blanket burrito, so this blanket was an easy sell. He stayed in his blanket cocoon for a full 30 minutes.

The best cooling mat for travel is Lesure Pet's cozy blanket. Taylor Tobin/Business Insider

The material's starting temperature was 77.9 degrees, and after, it measured 80.8 degrees. I then followed up by draping it over my lap. While some of Marty's residual body heat carried over and took away from the cooling sensation, I still enjoyed the blanket's breathability and the softness of the fabric. 

I machine-washed and dried the blanket according to the instructions and didn't notice any difference in its texture or durability. However, some reviewers say that repeated washes can take a toll on the blanket's quality over time.

What to look for in the best dog cooling mats

I asked two veterinarians what's important to consider when shopping for a cooling mat. There are a few key things to consider, including your dog's size, where you plan to use it, and what materials are best. 

Size: Dr. Sam Meisler, veterinarian and founder of PetWell Clinic, says size is your first priority. You'll want to choose a mat that allows your dog to rest its entire body on it so it's not hanging off the sides. In terms of length and width, leave a bit of extra space so that your dog can remain cool even if it shifts around on the mat. 

Use: My experts say that gel mats, water mats, and cooling blankets all achieve the same goal of wicking heat away from the body, but different types of mats can work better in different contexts. Gel mats are recommended for indoor use only, as extended time outdoors may compromise the gel's effectiveness. Water mats work well both indoors and outdoors, and while they require some setup, they don't need to recharge and can be used continuously. Blankets are lightweight, portable, and easier to introduce to dogs who don't gravitate toward mats. 

Materials: Meisler and Dr. Karen Shaw Becker, veterinarian and author of The Forever Dog Life, say that anyone considering a gel mat must make sure it's labeled as nontoxic. "Beds that contain gel pose a risk because they're made with a variety of different chemicals that aren't meant for consumption," Becker says. While no dog should ingest large quantities of nontoxic gel, that designation from a reputable, well-known brand indicates that the gel won't present major health concerns if a small amount is consumed. As for the cover materials, I found nylon, vinyl, and polyethylene durable, comfortable, and cool. 

Warranty: K&H Pet Products and Green Pet Shop offer limited warranties, while other brands provide none. Whether a warranty is worth narrowing your pool of potential mats depends on how much you value the peace of mind from that guarantee.

How we tested the best dog cooling mats

I evaluated the best dog cooling mats with my trusty accomplice, Marty McFly, my 55-pound pitbull mix. I ran all tests indoors for maximum temperature control and set my thermostat to 78 degrees. I conducted the following tests to compare how each mat measured up to the competition.

Cooling abilities: I first placed my hands on each mat to get a feel for its coolness. I then measured its surface temperature with an infrared thermometer. Next, I had Marty lie on the mat for 30 minutes and sat beside him on the mat during that time. Afterward, I measured the temperature again to see whether the mat retained heat from our bodies. 

Safety of materials: Before testing, I checked each mat to ensure its materials were labeled nontoxic. Exterior materials like nylon, vinyl, and polyethylene are strong enough to withstand nail scraping and minor chewing. They're also nontoxic unless they're consumed in large quantities.

Comfort: After Marty settled down on each mat, I evaluated how comfortable he seemed. I observed whether he was happy to rest there for an extended time or immediately got back up. I also sat on each mat to evaluate its softness, moldability to the body, how easy it was to get on and off, and the mat's ability to accommodate bodies in different positions, such as seated and lying down.

Durability: After Marty spent time on each mat and moved around, I examined the materials for wear and tear. I also ran a fork over the surface of each mat 20 times to see if the materials tore or incurred any damage.

Skid resistance: I put Marty on a leash and ran him across each mat 10 times as it was laid on a laminate floor. I observed whether the mats slid around on the ground and whether Marty's feet slipped on their surfaces.

Ease of cleaning: I smeared a tablespoon of peanut butter and a tablespoon of mud onto each mat, then let them sit for 24 hours. I cleaned each mat according to the manufacturer's instructions. I recorded how long the process took, whether I needed any special equipment or supplies, the general ease of the experience, and how effectively it removed the mud and peanut butter, along with any organic materials that were left behind after testing, like drool and hair.

Dog cooling mats FAQs Do dog cooling mats actually work?

The short answer is yes, but even the best dog cooling mats have their limitations. "By using gel, water, and/or special fabrics, the mats absorb heat from a dog's body, which makes them feel cooler," Meisler says. There are, however, a few caveats that could reduce a cooling mat's effectiveness. Becker says a mat might be a waste of money if your dog doesn't typically use mats or beds. It's also important to remember that a cooling mat is intended to provide added comfort. Proper hydration and a cool environment are the most important things to provide your dog. "If the ambient temperature is excessive, a cooling mat alone is not enough to prevent heat stroke or overheating," says Becker.

Are cooling mats safe for dogs? 

Meisler and Becker agree that cooling mats are generally safe for dogs, but it's important to do your research before ordering a mat. Above all else, Becker says to pay attention to the quality of a mat's construction and types of materials and coatings. Look for brands that use puncture-resistant materials like nylon, and always choose materials labeled as nontoxic. Most importantly, closely supervise your dog when introducing new items. "If you have a dog that tends to chew or eat their toys and/or bedding, all mats could be a choking or GI obstruction risk," Becker says. If you know that your dog is a tenacious chewer, never leave them with a cooling mat without supervision.

Can dogs sleep on cooling mats overnight? 

Meisler says that while pets can sleep on a cooling mat, it doesn't mean they should. While nothing about the mats themselves makes them unsafe for sleeping, Meisler encourages people to pay attention to their dog's preferences, as they have keen instincts for what makes them feel comfortable and happy. "Just like humans, some dogs may prefer a cooler surface for shorter periods versus a prolonged amount of time," he says. "While prolonged use might be safe, it isn't always advisable or necessary. Dogs regulate their body temperature through various means. It is essential they have access to normal temperatures to prevent muscle stiffness or other issues." Becker says many cooling mats, especially gel-filled ones, have limits for how long they can sustain their cooling properties before needing to be recharged. "Don't assume that the mat will continue to cool your pup past about 4 hours, and never rely on any mat or bed to prevent overheating or heat stroke," she says.

How should cooling mats be stored for maximum longevity?

Always follow a manufacturer's instructions for storing a mat. In general, avoid storing cooling mats in direct sunlight, in high-temperature areas, or in places where they could get wet.

Taylor Tobin is a contributing writer for Insider and a freelance food and beverage journalist with bylines at Eater, Food & Wine, Austin Chronicle, Wine Enthusiast, and Southern Living, among others. She lives in Austin with her rescue dog Marty McFly, who keeps her company as she tests kitchen products at home, develops new recipes, and visits cafes, beer gardens, and restaurants throughout the city. Follow her on Instagram at @tee_tobes.

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